The Language of Spells

This book was so engrossing I skipped all the things needing done an read. Sarah Painter creates a space for the reader to become a character in the book. It becomes righting so many wrongs and to be accepted as you are without the past becoming your future. Well written and ready for the next one

Gwen had a difficult childhood. Her mum moved around a lot, constantly telling Gwen and her sister Ruby to start packing as they were moving on.

Gwen had never been able to settle down during her daily years, she didn't even own a house. But one day, after receiving information that her great aunt had left her a house, she returned to the one place she used to call home, Pendleford.

As Gwen attempts to get used to the idea of having a house she discovers that things, and certain people, in Pendleford have remained the same. The distrust, by some, of her family name is still there. However there are also people who believe Gwen can help them the same way her aunt did, and they tend not to take no for an answer.

As the story progresses we learn more, bit by bit, about what made Gwen leave in the first place. We also discover a long lost love. Can Gwen get back her love? Or are there still forces in place which will hinder her?

I loved the relationship between Gwen and her niece Katie. Katie believes in her aunt, and she has to learn to believe in herself. Gwen helps her in more ways than one.

The story is a lovely, genuine one, unlike anything I have read before. It isn't all about magic, which I suspected may be the case, but more about a young woman attempting to fit in and finding that difficult.

The story flows really well, the author only giving away secrets when she is ready to. The different aspects of the story, and the characters within it, work really well together.

I honestly didn't know what to expect from this story but it was much more than I thought it would be. A lovely story which isn't rushed in any way. The author has done extremely well in my opinion with this being her debut book. Roll on the next one!

I adored this book. I loved everything about it from the storyline to the believable characters to not wanting to put it down till I was finished. It is one you will want to read in one sitting. It's a very well written story that flows nicely and keeps you there till the last page. Like I said I adored it.
So you have read the Blurb right? And it pretty much gives you what you need to get you interested well let me tell you there is so much more to this book.
What would you do if you were called nasty names made to feel like you where weird when all you wanted to do was help find someone. Well Gwen has to deal with this along with her powers and her own sister not understanding who she is, and leaving your boyfriend behind for the fear he wouldn't understand either. Well you leave move from place to place and suppress your powers.
Until you are called back to that town and find out your Great Aunt has left you a house.
And oh what a house it is, it holds loads of secrets. People turn up at all times of the day and I loved that part some of the characters are hilarious.
I loved Cam and Gwen you could see right away they should be together they do have their ups and downs and I think Cam's mother plays a big part in this oh she is a cow but Gwen won't let her get her way twice. There are some spicy bits between these two and the Author writes it just right for the story.
I loved Ruby and Gwen's relationship it's your typical sister relationship where you hold something against each other but you still kind of talk and then something big happens to bring you back together again. This relationship felt very real to me.
As Gwen powers get strong she finds someone is trying to great rid of her. And this person does some pretty nasty things to get Gwen to leave which even involve her niece Katie.
Gwen finds herself in this story and yes she is weird and has a unique gift but she finds her family a man and friends and it was a pleasure to take that ride with her.
This book is so good I even think the Author could carry on this story with Gwen using her powers to help people. I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. Maybe because is wasn't just another paranormal book, but more a normal story with some magic thrown in. I love the main character of Gwen-wanted to smack Cam a bit for being such a momma's boy, but then again, he was very believable because of that. In the end, Cam smartens up but I don't know how I feel about that. To me, it's too little, too late, but not for the main character. These are characters that seem real, so real that as a reader I feel like one of the many characters showing up on Gwen's doorstep demanding help. Or a sequel. Would definitely watch for this author again.

Serviceable enough story, but the characters were pretty are to believe, mostly cardboard cutouts to move the plot forward. Not my cup of tea. I love Alice Hoffman and totally enjoy Sarah Addison Allen--this is definitely not of that caliber. Actually more like 2.5 stars.

This story was very engaging and readable. It was not too long, but still allowed sufficient time for the plot to reach it's satisfying conclusion. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good read with just enough magic sprinkled in to keep things interesting.